Improvement in separable buttons



m I EM K. RB U6 01 0 a r a WP e S No. 222,232. Patented Dec. 2, I879.v

.AZZ:

PETERS, FHOTOLTHDGRAPHER WASHINGTON D C UNrr WILLIAM BOURKE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEPARABLE BUTTONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,232, dated December 2, 1879; application h'led October 9, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BOURKE, of New York city, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new useful Improvements in Separable Buttons, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference beinghad to the accompanyin g drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the two parts of a separable button, constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of my invention, the two parts being represented as detached from each other. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the under side of the upper section represented in Fi 1, and Fig. 3 is a section andelevation of the button completed, or with its parts assembled for use. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the separated k sections of my improved button, the location and arrangement of the fittings or operating elements being modified, but the principles remaining the same as indicated in the other figures.

Like letters of reference wherever they occur indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has relation to that class of buttons wherein the base and top are detachable in order to facilitate the insertion of the shank in the buttolrhole of the garment or other article desired to be secured, which class of buttons are now known as separable buttons in contradistinction to such as employ an immovable top and base or a movable or adjustable but not detachable or separable top and base.

I11 the class of inventions known as separable buttons, it has heretofore been common to connect the two parts by means of spring-act uated detents, which, when withdrawn from their seats by simple pressure of the finger left the two parts free to become disunited. These forms require the presence of a projecting lever of some kind, which is exposed always to accidental movement by contact with exterior objects, and consequently the base and top become frequently disengaged during ordinary use and wear.

The object of my invention is to overcome this difficulty or disadvantage, and at the same time to simplify the general construction and arrangement of the retaining mechanism, to reduce the cost of manufacture and liability to damage and disarrangement of the holders, and to simplify the operation of separting the two parts when desired, as well as to obviate any tendency to accidental disunion.

To accomplish this theinvention consists in certain peculiarities of construction andrelathe arrangements or combinations of parts,

all of which will be hereinafter first fully debutton sections will be prevented from turning, thus avoiding the necessity or trouble of holding it with one hand while the parts are disengaged with the other.

As in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the shank bis made hollow to receive the part c, and the recess therein is a little wider than the thicknessof a. The part b is provided with a pair of small openings, 0 c, on opposite sides, which receive and hold the lugs d d, located upon opposite sides of part a when the two parts are properly brought together.

The springs c a bear againstthe walls of the hollow section in such manner as to hold the lugs d in their proper places; and, as will be apparent upon inspection of the figures :referred to, the two parts of the button will thus be locked together against any strain in the direction of the axis of the shank.

In order to release the lugs it will be only necessary to seize the button-top at any point and twist it against the action of the springs. This will withdraw them from their seats, and at the same time create a considerable friction against the walls of the hollow section. To separate the two parts they are simply pushed asunder. While in use the button thus constructed will not in any conceivable probability be subjected to any accidental strain or pressure which will twist the top, and at the same time tend to push the two parts asunder, so that its stability is practicallyinsured, for the reason that both the twisting and pulling or pushing strain must be called into play simultaneously, in order to effccta'ny disengagement. Either strain operating alone will not sufiice to disturb the lock sufficiently.

Upon opposite sides of the shank a there are ribs or projections g g, which, bearing against the inner walls of b, serve as fulcrunis, about which the shank to which they are applied must revolve when turnedor twisted in the manner before explained. The presence of these ribs or fulcrums insures the withdrawal of the retaining-lugs under thetwisting-strain. Without them, or'some equivalent device unless the top be carefully twisted, the lug on one side might be drawn out of place while the opposite lug was pressed in. It would, of course, be convenient and easy to construct a button without these fulcrums; but its manipulation would require a considerable amount of care and attention, and thus impair the desirability of the article.

The arrangement of parts indicated-in Figs. 1, 2, and 3'is preferred "on accountof the ease with which they may be assembled upon the separable shank; but obviously the springs and the fulcrums may be located within the hollow shank, as indicated in Fig. 4, or the springs may be located within the hollow shank and the fulerums upon the other, as in Fig. 5; and other changes may be made in the location of these elements without departing from the principles of theinvention or the manner of operation of the button.

When the double springs, lugs, and notches are employed they are located with respect to each other so that the telescoping section may be inserted with either side toward the front; otherwise more care would be required to unite the two part-s. When united all the operating elements are concealed within the hollow shank, and thus protected from damage and from accidental unlocking.

The improved button is intended more especially for cuffs; but it may be used. for any purpose or in connection with any article Where 7 1 Having thus fully described myinvention, 7 what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 2 1. The combination, with the top and bottom plates of the telescoping shank seetions,

the locking-lugs, the notches, the bearing.

springs, and the fulcrums g g,'1ocated and: arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore explained.

2. In a separable button, the combination, with the flattened hollow shank-section, of a correspondingly-fiattened telescoping section,

carrying upon its face or faces one or more locking-lugs, suitable spring or springs, and

a rib or fulcrum, g, all adapted to operate substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of the button-plates A B, hollow'shank I), having notches c,'shank 0, adapted to be moved within said hollow shank, I

locking-lugs d, springs c, and fulcrums g, all arranged substantially as indicated, for the purposes and objects named. p

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM BOURKE.

Witnesses:

WORTH Osorooo CHARLES R. SEARLE. 

